Thomas Bryant's Winning Impact on the Cavaliers

After a tough stretch wandering the NBA wasteland following the LeBron James era, the Cavaliers have reached the playoffs in each of the last three years, including last season, when they took the Eastern Conference’s top record into the tournament. 

And while the recent regular season success has been a blast – averaging 54 wins per over that stretch – Cleveland still has unfinished business when it comes to the ultimate goal. 

So, this summer, the Cavs brass made some roster adjustments to move the franchise closer to that goal. And one of the most impactful of those moves didn’t make a big splash in the headlines, it’s paid off in a big way over the course of the current campaign. 

Thomas Bryant was just one of the thorns in Cleveland’s side when the Pacers upset the Wine and Gold in last spring’s Second Round. He didn’t put up monster numbers, like Tyrese Haliburton, or flummox the Cavs backcourt defensively in late-game situations, like Andrew Nembhard. But his energy, his physicality and his ability to stretch the floor definitely contributed to their eventual elimination. 

In the decisive Game 5, Bryant scored nine points in 10 minutes off the bench, and the Cavs got sent home for the summer following a nine-point loss. 

Last year, the Cavs primary backup in the middle – beloved big man Tristan Thompson – appeared in 40 regular season games, but only logged 20-plus minutes in three of them. Coming into this year, Cleveland knew it had to improve that position.

So, less than a month after Indiana’s wild run to the NBA Finals, free agent Thomas Bryant was a Cavalier. 

This season, Bryant has been one of the squad’s most consistent reserves – coming off the bench in all 47 appearances, notching double-figure scoring in 10 of them

“When I joined Cleveland, my role was to just be ready whenever my number was called, and luckily, it's been going well in my favor,” said Bryant, now in his ninth year out of Indiana. “I’m just staying ready to play consistent minutes right now. The NBA is a hell of a hell of a league; things can change on any given day. So, it doesn't matter what role it is. It’s just important that, right now, I stay ready for the team – and that doesn't change.” 

Originally selected by the Jazz with the 32^nd overall pick in 2017 before a Draft day deal sent both him and Josh Hart to the Lakers, Bryant has played with six different teams, including L.A., Washington, Denver, Miami and Indiana before joining the Cavs this summer. 

He’s also one of just two current Cavaliers – along with Sam Merrill – who’ve won an NBA Championship, part of the Nuggets title run in 2023. 

Even the Cavaliers top performers – Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen – haven’t played past Memorial Day during decorated careers. Bryant knows what it takes to reach the mountaintop, and his experience might come in handy as Cleveland makes its push this year. 

“It ain't easy playing in June,” smiled the 28-year-old Rochester native. “But that's what we all strive for, what we live for. And I know those guys will be prepared when that time comes.  We've talked about it throughout the season. And of course, we’ll be talking about it during (the playoffs). These guys have all played in playoff games. So, we might see a team that they've seen before and we’ll bounce ideas off each other – like what you did here, what advantages we might have there. It’s a close-knit group, and in the end that’s what’s gonna help us.”

In 380 career games, Bryant’s averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per. He averaged double-digit scoring in three straight seasons with the Wizards and shot better than 50 percent from the floor in seven straight. 

This year, he’s averaging 5.5ppg and 3.0rpg. He’s notched double-figure scoring five times in his last 15 outings, grabbed at least six boards off the bench in 12 games and recorded multiple blocked shots in five more. 

But Bryant’s value to the squad can’t be completely explained by the numbers. He’s been one of the Cavs’ most vocal leaders in both practice and games, an infectious energy that got the team through some of the season’s most difficult stretches. 

“For me, it’s just giving my energy in a contagious way that isn't detrimental to the team,” said Bryant. “And that's what I pride myself on. I always say, about those dog days in the NBA – those November and December and January games, you know, right before the All-Star Break – sometimes you just need some help or some energy, and you need guys to give you that energy, day-in and day-out. It just makes the day a little bit easier. I've had that throughout my career, and I hope I’ve helped this team with that.”

This year’s Cavaliers second unit doesn’t have quite the offensive firepower as last year’s. But scoring hasn’t been an issue for the Wine and Gold – the Eastern Conference’s second-highest scoring squad. Instead, this season’s group of reserves prides itself on the defensive end – something that it’s anchor in the middle sees as key heading into the homestretch and beyond. 

“I think our second unit has a big impact on the team,” said Bryant. “I feel like our bench can be a defensive juggernaut, that we can go out there and really defend. We have a great team chemistry, and we feel our offense when our defense is rolling – and we really pride ourselves on that. Dennis (Schroder) is the head of the snake. He's the one out there that's picking up 94 feet. And then with (Keon Ellis) out there and me talking on the backside, I feel like it's a recipe that really works for us. 

“And luckily, it's the chemistry is growing right now. And hopefully we can just keep it going throughout these last few games and heading into the playoffs.”